Carbonaceous heat source composition for non-combustion type smoking article and non-combustion type smoking article

ABSTRACT

A carbonaceous heat source composition for a non-combustion type smoking article according to the present invention includes carbon and 0.5 to 5% by weight of a polyhydric alcohol. Also, a non-combustion type smoking article according to the present invention is provided with such a heat source.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a Continuation Application of PCT Application No. PCT/JP2007/057580, filed Apr. 4, 2007, which was published under PCT Article 21(2) in Japanese.

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-108964, filed Apr. 11, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a carbonaceous heat source composition for a non-combustion type smoking article and to a non-combustion type smoking article.

2. Description of the Related Art

Tobacco is a typical flavor generating material for tasting flavor in the smoke (aerosol) generated by combusting tobacco leaves through the sense of taste and sense of smell of human.

In recent years, in place of or in addition to tobacco, non-combustion type smoking articles have been developed for enjoying flavor and taste of tobacco and for enjoying aerosol without combusting tobacco leaves. These non-combustion type smoking articles comprise a heat source which is a heat-generating member mounted on the tip and an aerosol-generating section including an aerosol-generating material formed of an appropriate substrate on which a flavoring component is carried. The heat source is physically separated from the aerosol-generating section. In the smoking articles of this type, the heat source is combusted, and the heat of combustion heats the aerosol-generating member without combustion to generate an aerosol containing the flavoring component. Smokers inhale the aerosol to enjoy the flavor. As the heat source, a carbonaceous heat source is exclusively used.

Many conventional non-combustion type smoking articles provide smaller amount of aerosol in smoking than that provided by an ordinary cigarette and fail to provide satisfaction of smoking. Thus, there is a proposal to increase the amount of aerosol to be generated.

Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 5-207868 discloses a carbonaceous fuel composition for fuel element which includes carbon, a binder, tobacco and sodium. By the addition of sodium to the fuel composition, smoldering speed and puff calorie are improved and the yield of aerosol to be generated is improved.

However, if the amount of sodium to be added is increased in this carbonaceous fuel composition, the yield of aerosol is increased whereas the amount of carbon monoxide is considerably increased.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a carbonaceous heat source composition for a non-combustion type smoking article which can increase the amount of aerosol to be generated while minimizing an increase in the amount of carbon monoxide to be generated by the combustion of the heat source, and also to provide a non-combustion type smoking article comprising the heat source constituted of the composition.

For achieving the above object, a first aspect of the present invention provides a carbonaceous heat source composition for a non-combustion type smoking article, comprising carbon and 0.5 to 5% by weight of a polyhydric alcohol.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a non-combustion type smoking article.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing the relationship between the glycerin content and the percentage increase in TPM or the ignition improvement rate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will be described in more detail hereinafter.

A carbonaceous heat source composition for a non-combustion type smoking article according to the present invention comprised carbon and 0.5 to 5% by weight of a polyhydric alcohol based on the total weight of a carbonaceous heat source composition. If the amount of the polyhydric alcohol is less than 0.5% by weight, the amount of generated aerosol (TPM) does not increase significantly. Also, if the amount of the polyhydric alcohol exceeds 5% by weight, the percentage increase in carbon monoxide (CO) generated by the combustion of a heat source increases. In particular, when the polyhydric alcohol is contained in an amount of 1.0% by weight or more (5% by weight or less), the heat source formed from the composition is significantly improved in ignitability. Also, if the heat source comprising a polyhydric alcohol in an amount of 1.0% by weight or more (5% by weight or less) is used, the amount of TPM increases more.

As the polyhydric alcohol, glycerin, propylene glycol or the like may be used.

Generally, the carbonaceous heat composition of the present invention contains a binder for binding carbon in addition to the polyhydric alcohol and carbon. The amount of the binder is preferably 5 to 15% by weight based on the total weight of the carbonaceous heat source composition. When the amount of the binder is less than 5% by weight, there is a tendency that the binding ability of the binder is exhibited insufficiently. Also, when the amount of the binder exceeds 15% by weight, the amount of carbon is reduced, with the result that there is a tendency that the heat source is insufficiently combusted.

As the binder, an alginate (for example, an ammonium salt and sodium salt), carboxymethyl cellulose or its salt (for example a sodium salt), pectin and carrageenan or its salt (for example, a sodium salt), guar gum or the like may be used.

Moreover, the carbonaceous heat source composition of the present invention may contain calcium carbonate (particles). Calcium carbonate is, when formulated, preferably formulated in a ratio of 30 to 55% by weight based on the total weight of the carbonaceous heat source composition. When the amount of calcium carbonate is less than 30%, there is a tendency that the effect of suppressing combustion is insufficiently developed. Also, when the amount of calcium carbonate exceeds 55% by weight, the number of puffs of the smoking article is significantly reduced and therefore such a carbonaceous heat source is practically unacceptable.

The carbonaceous heat source composition of the present invention comprises 0.5 to 5% by weight of a polyhydric alcohol as mentioned above and the balance is carbon, including the case where the heat sauce further contains a binder and (or) calcium carbonate. The source (raw material) of carbon (particles) is not particularly limited, and any known carbons can be used.

The carbonaceous heat source composition of the present invention may be molded as the heat source by molding technology such as extrusion molding. At this time, the polyhydric alcohol may be blended with other raw materials in advance prior to molding, or may be supplied to other raw materials using another method in which a nozzle for supplying the polyhydric alcohol is attached to the mixing/kneading part of the molding machine to supply the polyhydric alcohol from this nozzle in the molding using the molding machine.

The non-combustion type smoking article of the present invention comprises an aerosol-generating section generating aerosol by heating and a heat source provided at an end of the aerosol-generating section so as to be physically separated from the aerosol-generating section, wherein the heat source is constituted of the carbonaceous heat source composition of the present invention. Since the smoking article of the present invention is a non-combustion type, a burning line, which occurs during combustion and is observed in the case of using a combustion type smoking article, does not exist in the aerosol-generating section at all.

The non-combustion type smoking article of the present invention can increase TPM by, for example, 16.0% or more while suppressing the percentage increase in carbon monoxide by, for example, 5% or less as compared with a non-combustion type smoking article using a carbonaceous heat source containing no polyhydric alcohol.

In particular, a heat source comprising a polyhydric alcohol in a ratio of 1.0 to 5% by weight can be improved in ignition time by 11% or more than a carbonaceous heat source comprising no polyhydric alcohol.

An example of the non-combustion type smoking article of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

A non-combustion type smoking article 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises an aerosol-generating section 11, which generates an aerosol containing a flavoring component by heating. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the aerosol-generating section 11 is composed of a first aerosol-generating portion 111 and a second aerosol-generating portion 112. The first aerosol-generating portion 111 comprises a hollow cylinder made of a thermally stable material such as aluminum or stainless steel (not shown), in which sheet tobacco shreds or tobacco shreds, for example, are filled. The second aerosol-generating portion 112 comprises a similar hollow cylinder (not shown) in which tobacco shreds, for example, are filled. The first aerosol-generating portion 111 and the second aerosol-generating portion 112 are in contact with each other and positioned in the longitudinal direction of the smoking article 10.

A cylindrical carbonaceous heat source 12 formed of the composition of the present invention is provided at the front end of the aerosol-generating section 11 (the front end of the first aerosol-generating part 111) so as to be physically separated from the aerosol-generating section 11. A through-hole 121 for taking in the outer air is formed within the heat source 12 in the axial direction. The outer periphery of the heat source 12 is generally surrounded by a heat resistant member 13 consisting of, for example, glass wool. An ordinary filter 14 may be provided at the rear end of the aerosol-generating section 11 (the rear end of the second aerosol-generating portion 112). The whole outer peripheries of the aerosol-generating section 11 and the filter 14 and a part of the outer periphery of the heat source 12 surrounded by the heat resistant member 13 are wrapped by a wrapping material 15 made of a heat insulating material to be integrated. Such non-combustion type smoking article may have an outer appearance of the ordinary cigarette.

The present invention will be described below by way of Examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

EXAMPLES 1 TO 4, COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 1

As shown in Table 1, a carbonaceous heat source was molded from a composition containing glycerin (0.5 to 5% by weight), carbon (45.0 to 49.5% by weight), ammonium alginate (10% by weight) which was a binder and calcium carbonate (40% by weight). Using this carbonaceous heat source, a smoking article having the construction shown in FIG. 1 was fabricated. As Comparative Example 1, a smoking article was fabricated in the same manner as above using a carbonaceous heat source to which no glycerin was added. These smoking articles were respectively subjected to a smoking combustion by an automatic smoking machine under the standard smoking condition (TIOJ standard measuring method [fourth Edition] attachment 1) to measure the amounts of generated TPM and CO and the number of puffs.

Also, with regard to the smoking articles of Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Example 1, the ignition time of the heat source was measured. The condition of the first puff was optionally set under the condition that the amount of air to be drawn was 2 seconds/35 cc, to ignite the smoking article by using a cigar lighter. When the whole end surface of the heat source was combusted at the second puff under the standard smoking condition (TIOJ standard measuring method [fourth Edition] attachment 1) and this combustion of the whole end surface was observed five or more times after the second puff, the set value of the first puff was defined as the ignition time.

The results of the above test are shown in Table 2. Table 2 also shows the results of the percentage increase in TPM, percentage increase in CO and ignition improvement rate which are calculated based on the amounts of generated TPM and CO, and the ignition time in Comparative Example 1. Furthermore, a graph showing the relationship between the glycerin content and the percentage increase in TPM or the ignition improvement rate is shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, the line a shows the percentage increase in TPM and the line b shows the ignition improvement rate.

TABEL 1 Composition of the carbonaceous heat source composition Calcium Carbon carbonate Binder Glycerin Total (% by (% by (% by (% by (% by weight) weight) weight) weight) weight) Comparative 50.0 40.0 10.0 0 100 Example 1 Example 1 49.5 40.0 10.0 0.5 100 Example 2 49.0 40.0 10.0 1.0 100 Example 3 47.0 40.0 10.0 3.0 100 Example 4 45.0 40.0 10.0 5.0 100

TABLE 2 Glycerin content, ignition time, components in mainstream smoke and the number of puffs. Ignition Amount of Percentage Amount of Percentage Number Glycerin Ignition improvement generated increase generated increase of content time rate TPM in CO in CO puff (% by weight) (sec) (%) (mg/article) TPM (%) (mg/article) (%) (times) Comparative 0 1.8 — 0.67 — 2.3 — 7 Example 1 Example 1 0.5 1.8 0 0.78 16.4 2.3 0 7 Example 2 1.0 1.6 11.1 0.87 29.9 2.4 0 7 Example 3 3.0 1.6 11.1 0.90 34.3 2.4 4.3 7 Example 4 5.0 1.5 16.7 0.91 35.8 2.2 −4.3 7

As is shown by the above results, the smoking articles of Examples 1 to 4 using carbonaceous heat sources obtained from carbonaceous heat source compositions containing glycerin in a ratio of 0.5 to 5% by weight provide increased amount of generated TPM by 16.4% or more (maximum of 35.8%) than the smoking article of Comparative Example 1 using a carbonaceous heat source containing no glycerin. Also, the smoking articles of Examples 1 to 4 show substantially no increase in the amount of CO. Also, the amount of generated TPM is increased as the glycerin content is increased in the range from 0.5% by weight (Example 1) to 5% by weight (Example 4). In particular, when the glycerin content is 1.0% by weight or more, the amount of generated TPM is significantly increased (Examples 2 to 5). Moreover, the ignition time is improved by 11.1 to 16.7% when the glycerin content is 1% or more (Examples 2 to 5). The sample in which the glycerin content is 0.5% (Example 1) is improved in the percentage increase in TPM by 16.4% though the ignition time is not improved.

Specifically, the amount of generated TPM can be increased by adding glycerin while suppressing the increase in the amount of generated CO by controlling the amount of carbon in the heat source composition.

As is clear from FIG. 2, even if glycerin is added in an amount exceeding 5%, the percentage increase in TPM is not largely improved and also, there is a fear that glycerin in an amount exceeding 5% increases pyrolysates, which is undesirable.

According to the present invention, as described above, a simple construction is adopted in which the amount of a polyhydric alcohol is set to be in a range from 0.5 to 5% by weight in the carbonaceous heat source composition for a non-combustion type smoking article, whereby the amount of aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating member can be increased while minimizing increase in the amount of generated carbon monoxide by the combustion of the heat source.

Further advantages and modifications are obvious to a person having an ordinary skill in the art. The present invention in its broader aspect is therefore unlimited to the specified descriptions and typical embodiments described herein. Various modifications are therefore possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. 

1. A carbonaceous heat source composition for a non-combustion type smoking articles, comprising carbon and 0.5 to 5% by weight of a polyhydric alcohol.
 2. The carbonaceous heat source composition according to claim 1, wherein the amount of the polyhydric alcohol is 1.0 to 5% by weight.
 3. The carbonaceous heat source composition according to claim 1, wherein the polyhydric alcohol is glycerin or propylene glycol.
 4. The carbonaceous heat source composition according to claim 1, further comprising a binder.
 5. The carbonaceous heat source composition according to claim 4, wherein the binder is contained in an amount of 5 to 15% by weight.
 6. The carbonaceous heat source composition according to claim 1, further comprising calcium carbonate.
 7. The carbonaceous heat source composition according to claim 6, wherein the calcium carbonate is contained in an amount of 30 to 55% by weight.
 8. A non-combustion type smoking article comprising: an aerosol-generating section which generates aerosol by heating; and a heat source provided at an end of the aerosol-generating section so as to be physically separated from the aerosol-generating section in order to heat the aerosol section without substantially combusting the aerosol section, wherein the heat source is constituted of the carbonaceous heat source composition according to claim
 1. 